Mark Kelly, husband of wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, will resume training to fly the space shuttle Endeavour's final mission in April, according to a NASA statement.

"I am looking forward to rejoining my STS-134 crew members and finishing our training for the mission," Kelly said in a statement. "We have been preparing for more than 18 months, and we will be ready to deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) to the International Space Station and complete the other objectives of the flight. I appreciate the confidence that my NASA management has in me and the rest of my space shuttle crew."

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VIDEO: Kelly on shuttle decision

POLITICO 44

Kelly said he made his decision after thinking about "the mission, my crew, the fact I've been training for it for nearly a year and a half."

He also said he kept in mind what his wife would want him to do, and what their family members thought was best.

Those who know the couple well say it's no surprise that Kelly will make the April flight.

"It's 100 percent what she would want him to do. I had no doubt through this nightmare that that would be the decision that would be made," said Nelson Miller, a friend of the couple and former Navy Seal.

Miller, who had dinner with Kelly before Giffords left Tucson, said that neither Kelly nor Giffords would want to let down the crew with whom he's been training for months.

"He's a navy fighter pilot, for God's sake," Miller said. "I'm sure that was part of it as well."

"Gabby would be furious with Mark if he didn't go," said Jane Poytner, chairwoman and president of Paragon Space Development Corporation and another close friend of the pair. "He's an astronaut. She married an astronaut. This is his life. She's out of critical care, she has the best care in the country, and she has her friends and family. As hard as it would be, if he didn't go, she would be really upset."

Giffords was the target of a failed assassination attempt last month in Tucson, Ariz., in which she was shot in the head and six other people were killed. She was moved last week from Arizona to a rehabilitation clinic in Houston, where Kelly lives.

The severe injuries Giffords sustained in the Tucson shootings had left in doubt whether Kelly would be able to command the space shuttle, but the source made clear all systems are go for him to lead the mission, scheduled to lift off on April 19.

The space flight will be Kelly's fourth. His twin brother, Scott, is also an astronaut and is currently commanding the six-person team orbiting Earth in the International Space Station.

Readers' Comments (50)

So is he getting this special honor because he's the most qualified, or because of his wife? The spin suggests the latter, and given how liberals put more value on symbolism than substance, I would even more highly suspect it.

So is he getting this special honor because he's the most qualified, or because of his wife? The spin suggests the latter, and given how liberals put more value on symbolism than substance, I would even more highly suspect it.

I believe the primary reason that Kelly moved Gabby from Tucson to Houston was so that he could go back to work and go on his flight. Very selfish of him. A devoted husband would have stayed by her side throughout her rehabilitation. I feel sorry for Gabby.

So is he getting this special honor because he's the most qualified, or because of his wife? The spin suggests the latter, and given how liberals put more value on symbolism than substance, I would even more highly suspect it.

You just can't help yourself with the political bullcrap and stupidity. Kelly was selected for, and was training as the Commander for this mission in Aug 2009, long before his wife was shot.

I believe the primary reason that Kelly moved Gabby from Tucson to Houston was so that he could go back to work and go on his flight. Very selfish of him. A devoted husband would have stayed by her side throughout her rehabilitation. I feel sorry for Gabby.

Believe what you want, it means nothing. The Mischer Neuroscience Institute @ Memorial Hermann is one of the finest neurorehabilitaive institutions around. They, along with her doctors, made the decision, based on all sorts of factors you haven't taken into consideration.

So is he getting this special honor because he's the most qualified, or because of his wife? The spin suggests the latter, and given how liberals put more value on symbolism than substance, I would even more highly suspect it.

Why do you have to be so disrespectful? The man is an extremely intelligent, highly educated, highly decorated combat veteran who has been in space three times. He's one of the most mentally and physically disciplined human beings in the country--an astronaut. An astronaut who has spent his life preparing for this moment in history.

What have you done with your life other than make an ass of yourself? Punks like you need to have their ass kicked.

American911 Party: NA Reply #1 Feb. 3, 2011 - 10:59 PM ESTSo is he getting this special honor because he's the most qualified, or because of his wife? The spin suggests the latter, and given how liberals put more value on symbolism than substance, I would even more highly suspect it.

Even so, I wish the crew of the final shuttle mission success.

how tacky......

Kelly prepared long before the asault on his wife for his commanding the space shuttle flight which is his fourth fligt.....

So you would attempt to bring violence against another person because they didn't meet your defintion of "respect"?

Attempting to bring your violence against another person for speaking their opinion could end with you:

A. Getting your ass kicked.

B. Getting shot, multiple times. Depending on the state - the shooter could walk such as in a state where there is no expectation of backing down from a physical threat and a person may use whatever force they deem reasonable (got to love South Carolina and similar states). An armed society is a polite society.

C. You being arrested, and someone like me being in the jury. You'll know which one I am by the way I'll be staring you down as you quake in your seat trying to look remorseful to the jury.

D. After your prison term where you enjoy getting your ass kicked daily, then you would face a civil suit.

I am sure that this was a most difficult decision for Commander Kelly. I am also sure that if Gabbie Giffords were able to talk she would have urged him to go. Kelly most surely knew this and made the right decision for his wife and for his country.

Have a good trip commander. All our best wishes to you and to your wife for a recovery. You made the right choice; the country knows it and Gabbie knows it. We are proud of you.

There are other commanders qualified for this mission. Gabby has but one husband. She is still recovering from critical injuries. There are times in life where family should come before career. This is one of them.

There are other commanders qualified for this mission. Gabby has but one husband. She is still recovering from critical injuries. There are times in life when family should come before career. This is one of them.

As soon as I heard that she was being moved to Houston I knew he would be flying. How selfish, why can't he just suck it up and stay with the wife he is supposed to love to help her through this difficult time? Yes I did think before posting this, he is a selfish man.